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BIG ONE
Ulm visits Bayreuth Friday!
24-1 ratiopharm Ulm visits 15-10 BBC Bayreuth Friday night for a big 2.Bundesliga South Game Day 25 matchup 8pm at Oberfrankenhalle. In the big picture of the season, Game Day 25 might be labeled "Big Game Weekend" as Ulm visits Bayreuth Friday night followed by the East Derby when second place Jena travels to nearby Chemnitz for a Saturday night special. With 5 games remaining, ratiopharm Ulm holds a two game lead over Jena --- results from this weekend will go a long way in determining the season. Rated as one of the top three teams in preseason predicitons after last years terrific 3rd place finish, Bayreuth has fought through injuries and roster changes this season but their talent remains unquestioned. Although Ulm has emerged victorious in two previous meetings this season (97-67 in the German Cup 10-9-05 and 82-67 in Ulm 12-4-05), Bayreuth hopes to repeat last seasons 83-68 home win over Ulm last March 9, 2005. Ulm's Friday road trip to Bayreuth has potential to be another classic contest between two former Bundesliga organizations with tremendous tradition --- for sure, for this season, this game is a BIG one.
Ulm's Jeff Gibbs and teammates aim for a big victory Friday in Bayreuth.
Friday March 31st, 2006
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During preseason several 2.Bundesliga South teams held high expectations hoping for a league championship. Aside from Ulm and Jena, BBC Bayreuth was regarded among league heavyweights and respected after their outstanding 3rd place finish last season. With excellent offseason additions and a strong nucleus returning, Marco Amelow and his Bayreuth team hoped to challenge for the championship. No one has ever questioned the talent or ability in Bayreuth. Unfortunately for Bayreuth, who boast one of the richest basketball traditions in Germany, this year can be best explained by injuries and roster moves that have slowed their roll.
After working through an inconsistent start to the season, Bayreuth released American point man Quannas White eventually adding wing Chaz McCrommon. While the team dealt with these personnel changes, key Bayreuth players lost games due to injury including star big man Brandon Griffin and super team player Sebastian Schoch.
Ulm center Maksym Shtein will battle Bayreuth big men Brandon Griffin (15) and Lars Grubler (12).
With excellent experience and several seasons playing together, key Bayreuth players kept continuity strong on the team. Captain Dominic Zimmermann is the perfect floor general leading his team with fire and heart. After suffering a knee injury, Zimmermann has worked his way back and asserted himself as the undisputed leader in the Bayreuth huddle. Improving his perimeter shooting, Zimmermann led Bayreuth to a win last week against Lich with a fantastic 5-10 three point shooting game. Zimmermann's leadership will be a factor on the floor Friday night. In the backcourt with Zimmermann, high-energy Icelander Logi Gunnarsson stays in constant motion attacking on every possession. Capable of explosive offensive performances, Gunnarsson has enjoyed games of 43 points and 39 points as part of his 19ppg this year. A former Ulm shooting guard, Gunnarsson will be extra motivated to compete against his former team. Joining Zimmermann and Gunnarsson as perimeter threats, recently added American Chaz McCrommon has fit in well with the Bayreuth team. The athletic wing runs, rebounds, creates off the dribble and hits threes while providing versatility and another perimeter weapon to the Bayreuth arsenal. Interestingly, the Pittsburgh, PA and Robert Morris product McCrommon played briefly with the Kansas Cagerz in the USBL last summer but was released from the team prior to Ulm Head Coach Mike Taylor and guard Jonathan Levy's arrival in Salina. Finally, adding depth to the backcourt, hardworking Johannes Schlamminger plays both guard spots and gets after it on defense.
Bayreuth defenders and Head Coach Marco Amelow (left) will have their eyes on Ulm captain Emeka Erege.
In the Bayreuth frontcourt, Head Coach Marco Amelow has excellent options to choose from and a variety of lineups at his disposal. Underrated forward Christoph Tetzner can play the small or power forward spot and constantly attacks the basket from drives, cuts and postups. Tetzner can be an athletic big small forward in a big lineup or an athletic small power forward in a small lineup. Interestingly, Tetzner has shot the most free throws on the Bayreuth team this season, a direct result of his rim-attacking style. Another aggressive energy man with versatility to play both forward positions, veteran Sebastian Hanel has enjoyed two strong games against Ulm this season. Hanel rebounds hard and has good driving ability from the high post. While Tetzner and Hanel are underrated and quality team players, the key man for Bayreuth is athletic American power forward Brandon Griffin who ranks as one of the top big men in the league. Averaging 16 points and 10 boards a night, Griffin has been slowed of late by a knee injury most recently reinjured in their road loss at Heidelberg two weekends ago. One of the top big men in the league, Griffin gave Ulm 19 points 12 boards in the earlier meeting in December in Ulm. Adding size in the paint, former Bundesliga big man Lars Grubler has been a significant player for Bayreuth this season. A big, physical inside scorer, Grubler has enjoyed high scoring games including a 27 point night earlier in the year at home against Heidelberg. For the Ulm frontcourt of Gibbs-Shtein, Griffin-Grubler is a formidable matchup and one to keep a close eye on during the game.
Ulm power guard Jonathan Levy looks to continue his strong play against Bayreuth this season.
Friday nights game at Oberfrankenhalle will be the third meeting of the season between the two teams with Ulm earning wins October 9th in the German Cup and December 4th in 2.Bundesliga South league play. In the most recent game from December 4th, Bayreuth was led by Logi Gunnarsson's 19 points and Brandon Griffin's 19 point 12 rebound double double. On the other side, Jonathan Levy paced Ulm's win with 21 points while Jeff Gibbs added a tough 17 point 16 rebound game. Last season, an unfocused Ulm team dropped an 83-68 decision to an intense Bayreuth squad which used the momentum from the win propelling themselves to a strong 3rd place finish in league play.
Ulm forward Konrad Wysocki is focused for production.
Enjoying tremendous success all season, ratiopharm Ulm is closing in on first place and Friday's road game at Bayreuth stands as a fork in the road. Win and ratiopharm Ulm takes a major step in the right direction clearing a major hurdle and possibly distancing themselves from the pack. Lose and the final month of the season will be anybody's ball game. The stakes along make Friday nights game in Bayreuth a BIG ONE.
Ulm Head Coach Mike Taylor and Manager Thomas Stoll look forward to the challenge in Bayreuth.
Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com
GO ULM!
MIKE T
Martin Thuesen Ulm point guard looks forward to matchup with Zimmermann
Jonathan Levy Ulm leading scorer slowed by achilles strain
Emeka Erege Ulm Lion-hearted Captain leading on and off floor for team!
Jeff Gibbs fantastic game v Heidelberg 28pt 14reb 5blks/ready for Bayreuth!
Maksym Shtein center excited about battle with Lars Grubler on the block!
Konrad Wysocki hardworking forward brings energy and versatility to team!
Florian Mobius key post sub will be critical for depth in post down stretch
Jan Sprunken experienced wing adds perimeter threat/ crafty and smart
Christian Grosse 3pt threat as playmaker off Ulm bench
Antonis Sivorotka playing strong games for Neu Ulm and making progress for Ulm
Dominic Zimmermann captain drilled 5 threes in win over Lich last week
Brandon Griffin among top big men in league/16pt 10reb per game/ slowed by injury
Chaz McCrommon new american wing/ slashing 3/ runs and rebounds
Lars Grubler big man playing well/ physical and skilled/ will battle Maksym Shtein!
Logi Gunnarsson topscorer/former Ulmer/19pt v Ulm in December/43pt game this yr
Christoph Tetzner underrated 3man/ active cutter/ driver/ postup/ rebounds hard
Sebastian Hanel athletic/hardworking 4man/ brings energy/ plays well v Ulm
Sebastian Schoch out with season ending injrury
Johannes Schlamminger hardworking team player/strong defender/
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